Artificial intelligence, known widely as AI, is transforming everything from marketing to manufacturing. A key question looms. Are countries doing enough to prepare their workforces for this seismic shift?
A new study from the University of Georgia offers a sweeping look at how 50 countries are responding to the challenge. It analyzes national AI strategies with a focus on workforce training and education.
The findings paint a mixed picture. While some nations are moving quickly to integrate AI skills into schools and job training programs, others—including the U.S.—are lagging behind.
Almost Half of Today’s Jobs Could Vanish—But New Roles Are Coming
Previous research suggests that up to 50% of current jobs could disappear within two decades due to AI automation. Yet the outlook isn’t entirely bleak. According to projections, 65% of today’s elementary school students will eventually work in careers that don’t yet exist—many of them centered on or supported by AI.
“AI skills and competencies are very important,” said Lehong Shi, the study’s lead author and a research scientist at UGA’s College of Education. “If you want to be competitive, it’s crucial to prepare employees to work with AI in the future.”
How the Study Ranked Countries
To evaluate how each country prioritizes AI workforce development, the research analyzed six key indicators:
- Strategy objectives
- Implementation plans
- Sample projects
- Evaluation metrics
- Support mechanisms
- Timelines
Countries addressed these areas with varying levels of comprehensiveness. They were ranked as giving high, medium, or low priority to building an AI-competent workforce.
Only 13 Countries Gave AI Workforce Prep a High Priority
Of the 50 countries studied, only 13 countries were rated as giving high priority to AI-focused education and workforce development. Eleven of these are European. The other two were Australia and Mexico.
According to Shi, this may reflect a cultural and policy-driven emphasis on lifelong learning in Europe. There is greater public investment in training.
The United States fell into the “medium” priority group, along with 22 other nations. While the U.S. acknowledges the need to prepare its workforce for AI, its strategy is less detailed than those of top-ranked countries.
Common Ground: University Programs, Job Training, and Gaps
Despite differences in emphasis, certain themes appeared across most national plans:
- University-level AI programs were widely encouraged
- Over half of countries offered on-the-job training or industry-specific internships
- A minority addressed K-12 AI education
- Few focused on vulnerable groups such as older workers or the unemployed
In standout cases, countries took a generational approach. Spain begins AI education in preschool, while Germany promotes a lifelong interest in AI through public initiatives.
What’s Missing? Soft Skills and Human-Centric Education
While technical AI skills were central to most plans, human soft skills—like creativity, collaboration, and emotional intelligence—received minimal attention.
These are precisely the qualities that cannot be replicated by algorithms.
“Soft skills are essential,” said Shi. “They ensure that humans remain relevant in the workplace, even as AI capabilities expand.”
AI Strategies Reflect National Priorities
Interestingly, the study also found that some countries, particularly in Asia, emphasize national security and healthcare over education in their AI strategies. This suggests that nations tailor their AI plans to align with broader geopolitical or societal goals.
Still, for nations hoping to stay competitive in the digital economy, building a resilient and adaptable workforce is critical.
IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT CODING
The AI revolution is about more than machines—it’s about preparing people. This research makes clear that countries need robust, detailed, and inclusive plans to train their citizens for a world where AI is integrated into nearly every field.
It’s not just about technical skills; it’s also about nurturing the uniquely human abilities that will allow people to thrive alongside machines.
